Cutting mechanism for wire-stitching machines.



H. H. LATHAM & W. OSTBRHOLM.

CUTTING MECHANISM FOR WIRE STITCHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1907.

Patented May 14, 1912.

3 BHEETB-BHBET 1.

WaErZZW'S M AK pm H. H. LATHAM & W. OSTERHOLM.

CUTTING MECHANISM FOR WIRE STITCHINC MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1907.

1,026,216. PatentedMay 14, 1912.

3 SHEETBTBHHT z.

H. H. LATHAM & W. OSTERHOLM.

CUTTING MECHANISM FOR WIRE STITCHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1907.

Patented May 14, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY H. LATHAM AND WILLIAM OSTERHOLM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO LATI-IAM MACHINERY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CUTTING MECHANISM FOR WIRE-STITCHING MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HARRY H. La'rnau and WILLIAM Osrnnnomu, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cutting Mechanism for Vire- Stitching Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wire cutting mechanism particularly adapted for use in wire stitching machines of the type in which the wire is intermittently fed into the machine and cut oif into suitable lengths, formed into staples and driven through the pap-er which it is desired to stitch and clench on the other side.

In an application for United States Letters Patent executed by us of even date herewith there is shown and described a wire feeding mechanism including an adjustable member and a wire gripper supported by the member for cutting the wire into desired lengths, and the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved cutter for use in such machines.

A further object is to provide an improved form of cutter block and improved means for removably securing the block in position whereby the block may be readily removed from the machine without dismembering the parts of the machine for the purpose of adjusting or sharpening the cutter.

A further object is to provide an improved adjustable and reversible guide for the wire on the cutter block, and improved means for securing the guide in position.

A further object is to provide improved means for operating the cutter.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby the cutter will be operated intermittently by the movement of the staple forming mechanism.

A further object is to provide an improved device of this character which will be simple, cheap and durable in construction and effective and eflicient in operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty, in the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown in the ac- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 5, 1907.

Patented May 14, 1912.

Serial No. 377,454.

companying drawings illustrating an exemplification of the invention and in which Figure 1 is a detail front elevation of a machine of this character with an improved construction of cutting mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention adapted thereto, and with the face plate of the staple forming mechanism removed; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on lines 2--2 of Fig. 1 also showing in section the staple support; Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in section, of the head for holding the cutter block in position; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing the staple former, the cutter operating member, and the dog or pawl for intermittently moving the cutter operating member; Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing one face of the staple former; Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing the other face of the staple former; Fig. 7 is a detail top plan view of the cutter and cutter head; Fig. 8 is a right-hand end elevation of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on line 9 9 of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view on line 1010 of Fig. 7 Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the movable support for the cutter and the operating dog for the movable wire gripper or plunger and which is supported by the gripper; Fig. 12 is a detail elevation showing the operating dog for the gripper or plunger ot' the wire retaining mechanism; Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the wire guide tube support with the tube in position; Fig. 14 is a detail front elevation of a portion of the cutter block with the cutter removed; Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 15-15 of Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and in this exemplification of the invention, the numeral 20 designates a back plate or member, supported by which is a staple forming mechanism designated generally by the reference numeral 21, and said staple forming mechanism comprises a shaper or former 22 which is provided with spaced sides 23 shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings to form a channel in one face of the shaper or former, and movable in the channel formed by the sides 23 is a plunger or driver 24.

Adjustably supported by the back plate or member 20 is a head 25 provided with a dovetail slot or groove 26 in one face thereof adjacent the staple former, and said head is preferably split, as at 26'. The head 25 is supported by the member 27 in the same manner as set forth in the application above referred to. A cutter block 28 is provided with a dovetail projection 29 extending transversely across one face thereof, and said projection 29 is adapted to be inserted in the dovetail groove 26 in the head 25 to support the cutter block in position, and said cutter block is held against accidental displacement by means of a suitable screw or bolt 30 which is situated in the head 25 and extends across the slot 26, so that when the cutter block is in position, it may be clamped into the head by means of the screw or bolt 30, drawing the split portion of the head 25 together so that the walls of the dovetail groove 26 will clamp the corresponding sides .of the dovetail projection 29.

Removably situated in the cutter block 28 is a member 31 which is held in position in any desired or suitable manner, preferably by means of a screw or bolt 32 passing through the cutter block 28, and with the extremity thereof seated in a circumferential grooved portion 33 on the member 31.

A gripping member or plunger 34 is also seated within the cutter block'28 and so disposed that one extremity thereof will co5perate wit-h one extremity or face of the member 31. Any suitable means may be provided for holding the adjacent extremity or face of the gripper member or plunger 34 normally in engagement with the face of the member 31. A' suitable and efficient means for accomplishing this purpose comprises a yielding member, preferably in the form of a coiled spring, which is situated within the gripper member or plunger 34, so that one extremity thereof will engage a suitable shoulder on said member or plunger and the other extremity will engage a screw or cap 36 removably secured to the cutter block 28, and by means of which screw or cap the tension of the yielding member or spring 35 may be regulated.

Any suitable means may be provided for raising or lowering the gripper member or plunger 34 with relation to the member 31, and a suitable and efiicient means for accomplishing this purpose comprises a dog or pawl 37 which is provided with a laterally projecting lug or extension 38 adapted to be seated in a suitable aperture 39 in the gripper member or plunger 34 preferably adjacent the upper extremity thereof, and said dog or pawl is provided with an inclined face 40 to form an extension 41 which is adapted to be brought into engagement with a suitable shoulder 42 on the cutter block 28 to raise the gripper member or plunger 34 when the free extremity 43 of the dog or pawl is raised, the yielding member or spring 35 tending to return the plunger to its normal position to grip the wire 44 as shown more clearly in Figs. 7 and 10 of the drawings.

Slidingly mounted in the cutter block 28 is a member 45 which is provided with laterally projecting flanges 46 and 47 adapted to move in suitable guides or ways in the cutter block, and said member 45 is of such a length that one end thereof preferably projects beyond the front end of the cutter block 28, as shown more clearly in Figs. 7, 8 and 10 of the drawings. The laterally projecting portion 47 preferably terminates short of the top of the member 45 to form a shoulder 48, as shown more clearly in Figs. 7 and 11 of the drawings, and said shoulder 48 is so arranged that when the member 45 is elevated or raised in a manner to be hereinafter more fully set forth, the shoulder 48 will engage the extremity 43 of the dog or pawl 37, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2, 7 and 11 of the drawings to rock the dog or pawl about its point of pivotal support 38 to raise the gripper member or plunger 34 to release the wire 44 to permit the same to be advanced to the staple forming mechanism 21.

The cutter block 28 is provided with. a suitable aperture 49, preferably in a direct line with the point of engagement of the faces of the members 31 and 34, and through which aperture the wire 44 is adapted to pass. A block or member 50 is provided with an aperture 51, preferably conical in shape, and a recessed portion 52 which communicates wit-h the aperture 51, and said member is also provided with a bifurcation 53 which preferably communicates with the aperture 52, as shown more clearly in Fig. 10 of the drawings. A tubular member 54 is adapted to be seated in the aperture 52 of the member 50, and said tubular member is preferably of such a length as to extend for some distance beyond the front edge of aperture 51 therein will register with the aperture 49 in the cutter block 28. The member 50 is preferably provided with laterally projecting portions 56, adapted to enter the lower extremities of the guides or ways in which the extensions 46-47 on the member 45 move, and said member 50 is secured against displacement in any desired or suitable manner, preferably by means of a screw or bolt 57 passing into the block 28,

ment of the member 50 and to direct it into its proper position. A suitable and efficient means for accomplishing this purpose comprises a laterally projecting lug 58 on the member 50 which is adapted to enter a suitable recessed portion 59 in the cutter block 28. lVhen the member 50 with the tubular member 54 secured thereto are in proper position, the wire 44 will pass in a straight line through all of the registering apertures.

Secured to the member 45, preferably adjacent the lower extremity thereof, is a cutter 60, preferably in the'form of a circular disk, having a beveled periphery to form a circumferential cutting edge, and said eutter is held in position or secured to the member 45 and against rotation in any desired or suitable manner, preferably by means of a screw or bolt 61 passing transversely therethrough and into the member 45. This cutter is so arranged that a portion of the periphery thereof will engage and cut the wire 44 adjacent the extremity of the tubular member 54, and said member 54 is of such a length as to stand in close proximity to the rear face of the cutter 60 when the latter is lowered or depressed. WVith this improved construction of cutter it will be seen that the member 50 may be removed from the cutter block 28 when the latter is removed from the machine by loos ening the screw 57 and when removed the tubular member 54 may be adjusted by axially rotating the same to present a new surface or anvil on which the wire rests, and which cooperates with the cutter 60, or it may be bodily removed from the member .50 and turned end for end. After having been adjusted, the member 50 may be again inserted or placed in position and secured against removal by tightening the screw 57. It will also be noted that when the portion of the periphery of the cutter 60 becomes worn or dull, the. screw 01' bolt 61 may be loosened and the cutter 60 moved about the screw or bolt as an axle to place a new portion of its periphery into active position, after which the screw or bolt may be again tightened to clamp the cutter against rotation.

Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the member 45 and the cutter 60. A suitable and efficient means for accomplishing this purpose comprises a member 62, shown more clearly in Fi 4 of the drawings, and said member is mounted for sliding movement upon the back plate or member 20 and is adapted to move in a suitable guide 63. This member is provided with a projecting portion 64, which is provided with a groove or depressed portion 65 extending longitudinally thereof, and a shoulder 66, which latter is preferably located within the guides 63.

The member 45 which supports the cutter is preferably provided with a lateral extension or projection (37, which is preferably angular in cross-section, as shown more clearly in Figs. 8 and 11 of the drawings, and said projection or lug is adapted to enter the groove or recess ()5 in the extension 64 on the member 62, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and is adapted to move in said groove or recess when the head 25 is adjusted in the manner set forth in our co-pending application, so that when the member 62 is reciprocated, the member 45 will be also reciprocated to operate the cutter 60 in the manner just set forth. 1

Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the member (32, and a simple and efficient means for accmnplishing this purpose will now be described.

The staple shaper or former 22 is provided with a recessed portion (58 in the face thereof, to form a shoulder 68, and pivotally supported in said recessed portion is a dog or pawl 69, which is preferably comprised of a plurality of sections or layers, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the outer section or layer being slightly spaced from or deflected from the other parts as shown at 70 in Fig. 5, for a purpose to be set forth. This dog or pawl is provided with a projecting ear or lug 71 extending from one edge thereof and located within the plane of the body portion, and a notched or recessed portion 72 in the outer edge thereof, said notch or recessed portion 72 being so shaped as to form inclined faces or shoulders 7374.

Secured to the back plate or member 20 are spaced lugs 75-7(3, which are located one above the other and out of the same vertical plane. The shaper or former is adapted to move between the guides (33, and is so arranged that the dog or pawl (59 will stand between the lugs or projections 757(S, the extremity of the dog or pawl being located above the shoulder (36 on the member 62. Assuming the shapcr or former 22 to be at the limit of its upward movement, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the operation of this portion of the machine will be as follows: \Vhen the shaper or former 22 is moved downwardly, the extremity of the dog or pawl. (55) will engage the shoulder 66 on the cutter operating member 62 and. will remain in engagement with the shoulder and continue to move said member 62 downwardly until the shoulder 73 comes in contact with the lug or projection 76. A further movement of the member 22 in the same direction will cause the inclined shoulder 7 3 to ride against the lug or projection 7 6 and deflect the dog or pawl 69 into the position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. at to permit the former to move in the same direction independently of the member 62 and to a position to cause the lug or projection 71 to assume a position that, when the member 22 is moved in the opposite direction, said lug or projection 71 will engage the stud or projection 75 to rock the dog or pawl 69 in the opposite direction when the two are brought into engagement, to cause the extremity of the dog or pawl 69 to assume the position as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, and directly above the shoulder 66 on the member 62. During the downward movement of the shaper or former 22, the dog or pawl 69 will move the member 62, but when the shaper or former is moved in the opposite or upward direction, the shoulders 68 will engage the lower edge of the member 62 and raise the same to its normal position, or to the position as shown in full lines in Fig. 4 of the drawing, that is, to such a position that the active edge of the cutter 60 will move to uncover the aperture in the tubular member 54: to permit the wire 44 to be fed therethrough.

Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the shaper or former 22, but a simple and eflicient means for accomplishing this purpose comprises a rotatable member 78 having a cam groove 79 into which a suitable projection 80 on the shaper or former 22, and which is provided with an anti-friction roller 81, is adapted tomove. The plunger or driver 24 may be also operated by means of the rotatable member '78 through the medium of a suitable connecting link 82, but the specific construction and operation of the staple former and a driving mechanism forms the subject. matter of a separate application.

With this improved construction of cutter mechanism, it will be seen that after the wire has been fed to the staple forming mechanism in the maner as set forth in our co-pending application, the cutting mechanism will be operated simultaneously with and by the staple forming mechanism, and that the cutter block may be bodily removed fro-1n the supporting head 25 by simply loosening the screw or bolt 30, which will permit the block to be drawn out of the head and at the same time disconnects the cutter block from its operating mechanism, thereby obviating the necessity of dismembering the entire mechanism when it is desired to remove the cutter. After the cutter has been adjusted, the cutter block may be readily replaced by inserting the projection 29 in the groove 26 of the head 25, and by exerting a slight pressure upon the block 28 and then rotating the member 78 by hand or otherwise, the lug or projection 67 will pass into the groove or recess in the member 64 when the latter has assumed a proper position, after which the screw or bolt 80 may be adjusted to clamp the block 28 in the head 25.

The dog or pawl 69 will be frictionally held against a vibratory or swinging movement and will retain its adjusted position by means of the deflected portion thereof engaging the face plate of the machine when the latter is in position, and against which the deflected portion exerts a yielding pressure.

In order that the invent-ion might be fully understood by those skilled in the art, the details of the foregoing embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described, but

WVhat is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, a staple-formingmechanism to which the wire is adapted to be fed, means for retaining the wire against retrograde movement, a cutter, means controlled by the staple-forming mechanism for operating the cutter, and means controlled by the movement of the cutter for operating the retaining means to release the wire.

2. In combination, a staple forming mechanism to which the wire is adapted to be fed, a supporting member, a cutter-block, a cutter supported by the block, means for detachably securing the block to the supporting member, said means comprising yielding jaws and a member adapted to exert a tension on the jaws to grip the block, a cutter. operating member, a detachable and adjustable connection between the cut-ter and its operating member, and means for intermittently moving the cutter-operating member.

3. In combination, a staple forming mechanism to which the wire is adapted to be fed, a supporting member, a cutter block, a cutter movably supported by the block, wire gripping mechanism also supported by the block, a cutter operating member, means for operating the staple former, means operatively related to the former for intermittently moving the cutter operating member, and means controlled by the movement of the cutter for intermittently moving the gripping member to release the wire.

4. In combination, a staple-forming mechanism to which thewire is adapted to be fed, a supporting member, a cutter-block, means for removably securing the block to the support, a cutter movably supported by the block, wire gripping mechanism also supported by the block and comprising a stationary and ayieldingly supported member, operating means, a detachable connection between said operating means and the cutter, and means controlled by the movement of the cutter for intermittently moving the yieldingly supported gripper member to release the wire.

5. In combination, a staple forming mechanism to which the wire is adapted to be fed, a supporting member, a cutter-block, a cutter supporting member movable on the block and provided with a shoulder, a cutter secured to said member, gripper mechanism also supported by the block and including a movable member, means for normally holding the gripping members in engagement, a cutter-operatingmember, means controlled by the operation of the staple-former for moving the cutter, and means operatively related to the movable gripper memher and adapted to be engaged by the shoulder on the cutter-supporting member for intermittently moving the gripper member against the tension of the yielding member to release the wire.

6. In combination, a staple-forming mechanism to which the wire is adapted to be fed, a support, a cutter block provided with a projection, means for removably securing the block to the support, a cutter member movable on the block, a cutter secured to said member, a cutter operating member, said operating member being provided with an elongated groove adapted to receive the projection on the cutter block, means for operating the staple forming mechanism, and means operatively related to the said mechanism for moving the cutter operating member.

7. In combination, staple forming mechanism including a movable member, a support, a cutter block, a cutter supporting member movable on the block, said cutter supporting member being provided with a projection, a cutter operating member having an elongated groove adapted to receive the said projection, a dog movably supported by the staple former member and for movement with respect thereto, means for operating the said staple former member, means for moving the dog independently of the staple former member for causing the dog to engage and move the cutter-operating member, to operate the cutter, and means for moving the cutter operating member in the opposite direction.

8. In combination, staple forming mecha nism including a movable member, means for moving said member, a support, a cutterblock, a cutter supporting member movable on the block, said cutter supporting member being provided with a projection, a cutter operating member having an elongated groove adapted to receive the said projection, a dog movably supported by the staple former member, means for operating the said staple former member, means for causing the dog to engage the cutter-operating member, to move the latter in one direction,

means for moving the dog out of engagement with the cutter-operating member to permit the staple former to move independently thereof, and means for returning the cutter-operating member in the opposite direction.

9. In combination, staple forming mechanism including a movable member, means for moving said member, a support, a cutter-block on the support, a cutter supporting member movable on the block, a cutter operating member, a dog supported by the staple former member, for movement therewith, and also for movement with re spect thereto, means for operating the said staple former member, means for moving the dog with'respect to the staple former member for causing the dog to engage the cutter operating member, to move the latter in one direction, means for moving the dog out of engagement with the cutter operating member to permit the staple former to move independently of the cutter operating member, said staple former member being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage and move the cutter operating member in the opposite direction.

10. In combination, staple forming mechanism including a former, means for reciprocating said. former, a cutter block, a cutter supporting member movable on the block,

a cutter operating member, a connection be tween the cutter supporting and operating members, a pivotally supported dog on the former, said former being provided with a shoulder, means for moving the dog into position to engage the cutter operating member to move the latter when the former is moved in one direction, means for moving the dog out of operative position to permit the former to move in the same direction independently of the cutter operating member, said former being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage and move the cutter operating member in the opposite direction, and means for moving the dog into an operative position on the return movement of the former.

11. In combination, staple forming mechanism including a former, means for reciprocating said former, a cutter block, a cutter supporting member movable on the block, a cutter operating member, a connection be-. tween the cutter supporting and operating members, a pivotally supported dog on the former, said former being provided with a shoulder, means for moving the dog into position to engage the cutter operating memher to move the latter when the former is moved in one direction, means for moving the dog out of operative position to permit the -former to move in the same direction independently of the cutter operating member, said former being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage and move the cutter operating member in the opposite direction, means for moving the dog into an operative posit-ion on the return movement of the former, and means for holding the dog in its adjusted position and against vibratory movement.

12. In combination, staple forming mechanism including a former, means for reciprocating said former, a cutter block, a cutter supporting member movable on the block, a cutter operating member, a connection between the cutter supporting and operating members, a pivot-ally supported dog on the former, said former being provided with a shoulder, means for moving the dog into po sition to engage the cutter operating member to move the latter when the former is moved in one direction, means for moving the dog out of operative position to permit the former to move in the same direction inclependently of the cutter operating member, said former being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage and move the cutter operating member in the opposite direction, means for moving the dog into an operative position on the return movement of the former, said dog comprising a plurality of members, a portion of one of said members being laterally deflected from the other member, a guide for the former, said deflected member being adapted to engage the guide to frictionally hold the dog in its adjustedposition and against vibratory movement.

13. In combination, staple forming mechanism including a former, means for reciprocating the former, a cutter block, a cutter supporting member movable on the block, a

' cutter operating member, a connection between the cutter supporting and operating members, a pivotally supported dog on the former, said dog being provided with a projection on one edge and an inclined face on the opposite edge, spaced members between which the dog is adapted to move, one of said members being adapted to be engaged by the projection to move the dog into op- 'erative position to engage and move the cutter operating member when the former is moved in one direction, and the other member being adapted to be engaged by the inclined face to move the dog out of operative position to permit the former to move further in the same direction and independently of the cutter operating member, and means for retaining the dog in its adjusted position.

14. In combination, a staple forming mechanism including a former, means for reciprocating the former, a cutter block, a cutter supporting member movable on the block, a cutter operating member, a connection between. the cutter supporting and operating members, a pivotally supported dog on the former, said dog beingprovided with a projection on one edge and an inclined face on the opposite edge, spaced members between which the dog is adapted to move, one of said members being adapted to be engaged by the projection to move the dog into operative position to engage and move the cutter operating member when the former is moved in one direction, and the other member being adapted to be engaged by the inclined face to move the dog out of operative position to permit the former to move further in the same direction and inde-' pendently of the cutter operating member, and means for retaining the dog in its adjusted position, said former being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage and move the cutter operating member in the opposite direction.

15. In combination, a staple forming mechanism to which the wire is adapted to be fed, a supporting member, a cutter block, a cutter movably supported by the block, wire gripping mechanism also supported by the block and comprising a stationary and yieldingly supported member, means whereby the operation of the cutter will operate the yieldingly supported gripping member to release the wire, means for operating the cutter, and means for det-achably securing the block to the support, said block, cutter, and gripping mechanism constituting a self contained detachable unit.

16. In combination, a staple forming mechanism to which the wire is adapted to be fed, a supporting member, a cutter block, a cutter movably supported by the block,

wire gripping mechanism also supported by the block and comprising a stationary and yieldingly supported member, means whereby the operation of the cutter will operate two subscribing witnesses, on this 3rd day of June, A. D. 1907.

HARRY H. LATHAM. WM. OSTERHOLM. Witnesses:

CI-IAs. H. SEEM, FnANois A. HOPKINS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

